Labyrinth 100 Theme Challenge

Theme 76: Broken Pieces (October 31, 2010)-dedicated to Alex…

So, I'm not really a member of it but I did know what they were talking about when people referenced the 100-theme challenge. I'm actually doing an art version from deviantart. Either way because I have nothing to do with my time, or need some sort of distraction, I decided to take up the challenge. So I have people pick random numbers and pick then do the corresponding theme. This is the first one.

Disclaimer: I do not own Labyrinth… if I did, I wouldn't be writing fan fiction I'd be rolling in the millions I made… I am not making any profit on this; if I were, please see previous statement. The characters you don't recognize are mine, and I don't even make any money off them. I should, but I don't. So either way, I have no money.

He cursed the girl. He cursed the book, and the day he gave her that book. He cursed her childish innocence that did not see the value in his offer, and he even cursed himself for thinking that he could play the game and keep her. After her refusal, Jareth had flown to her window. There was no logical reason why he should go there, but some small shattered fragment of hope compelled him to cross the boundaries between his world and hers. He sat on a tree branch outside her window, his large owlish eyes watching the festivities going on inside. There was no second chance for him now, and he flew away more injured and shattered than before.

Another crystal formed in the palm of his hand as he thought about that night. Even the fireys were there! He thought angrily and threw the crystal across the room. It shattered on the wall underneath the giant clock that kept time for his runners. He'd spent the past three days lying across his throne, throwing crystals. No one dared come into the throne room, and not even the pit of goblins stirred from sleeping. He'd accumulated a nice collection of broken crystal pieces in that particular spot. He enjoyed watching them shatter. It was symbolic; everything in the Labyrinth was broken. Life seemed to stop as the king did; no one really wanted to fix anything until the king gave orders. There were times when he would make changes to make things better for his people and harder for his runners.

He didn't really notice when she entered the throne room; he was too busy wallowing in self-pity. "You're wasting crystals." She admonished him. Jareth stopped in mid throw and gazed at the small collection, each one a specific though, piece of anger he was unleashing on the unmoving wall. He'd lost his train of thought with this crystal.

"I have an infinite supply." He responded tartly, throwing the crystal against the wall. It shattered and made tinkling noises as it landed among the others. He sighed and leaned his head into his hand. "Was there a specific purpose that you came?" He asked her. "I'm doing important things here." He turned to look at her. She wasn't wearing her usual military garb. Instead, she was wearing a pair of leggings, and short dress style jerkin. Her hair was pulled back in a high ponytail. She wasn't coming from the camp grounds she must have granted leave for a little while. "You're not supposed to be here anyway."

She stepped forward slightly. "I usually find it in the best interest of the kingdom to see why goblins are telling me that their king is behaving like a petulant child." She made another step forward, coming towards him around the pit. "And to find their reports so accurate is remarkably disturbing." Jareth let her words stand for a moment as he thought over them. He was hurt; he had no reason not to behave like a petulant child. Since her words did not elicit a response, she continued. "You should get over it and behave like a king, not a toddler who didn't get his way."

He sat up his throne and glared at her. "Who are you to tell me how I should behave?" He demanded with his kingly authority. She didn't flinch, and he stood.

"A voice of your injured people," she responded sharply. They advanced on each other. "They are awaiting orders from the king, and wondering why he left this whipped dog in his stead." By this time, they were only inches from each other. "Also, they request that the king, when he returns, to get off his royal derriere and rebuild the Labyrinth." She finished, and in response, Jareth slapped her hard enough to turn her face, and push her back, but she didn't falter. She never faltered.

"The people know nothing of my injury!" He yelled in her face.

"What injury? Some little child refused you? Very well then, but what has that to do with your kingdom? She denied you, yes; you've denied millions."

"This one was—"

"She was nothing to you and she's gone now, so you have nothing more to say about her. Put her out of your mind, Jareth." He looked at her darkly, and saw her body slightly tense for any type of physical response. He didn't move, and they stood there for a few beats just waiting for the other to move. "They should have no idea that there is any injury on your part. You're a monarch, Jareth; you haven't the luxury of injury." She said finally. Her eyes glanced at the curtain covering the viewing window. She moved around the king and went to the window, drawing back the curtains.

Light penetrated the room completely, rousing the pit of goblins in the pit. It hit the crystal shards and reflected light on every wall. Jareth closed his mismatched eyes to allow his eyes to adjust, and when he opened them, he saw her standing by the window looking down. He glared at her darkly; the curtains were closed for a good reason. He didn't want to see the chaos that cursed girl left behind of his kingdom. The Labyrinth use the goblin half of the city to repel runners, and when the beast called down the rocks, it damaged the entire city. The confusion that tormented him also tormented his people.

"There was a reason those curtains were closed."

"Jareth," her voice was frank, "we're all a little broken in some way or another after her run. It's time to pick up the pieces and move on." He didn't respond. He had nothing further to say to her. She sensed as much, and left the room and went down the corridor. He could hear the soles of her flat shoes padding softly on the stone floor.

Once he was sure he was alone, he moved towards the window and looked at the people milling down below, mostly goblins since the better citizens wouldn't move out of doors with the Labyrinth in such a destroyed state. It was as if the Labyrinth was holding its breath waiting for their king to let his out. He closed his eyes, and sat in the window. Conjuring a few crystals in the palm of his hands, he rolled them expertly around his hand and then let them light down to float over the kingdom. They were carrying his orders out to all the goblins, time to rebuild. Even the pit of goblins was empty and some of the higher ones were busying themselves with cleaning the throne room, starting with the broken crystal shards. He could feel some one watching him and glanced at the doorway, where he saw her again her icy slate blue eyes watching him with quietly.

"Put out orders to start rebuilding, and have a goblin bring me some of those pardons." He said to her, turning away to settle back into his window seat.

"Yes, your majesty." She said bowing her head reverently.

Fin

Yeah, I know it's not the best thing, they are rough sketches, and yeah I do have an oc. This particular little dear is dedicated to my friend Alex, because he's the one I made surf the internet, because mine was retarded and get me the challenge list. Isn't that a good friend, because Jareth scares him. Not because he's a coward, but think about it girls, isn't the hotness of Jareth intimidating for guys.

Alex: NO! Think about it Baby turtle, just think about it.

Baby turtle: I am.

Alex: EW!

Anyway, read and review… make alex feel better about the things I torture him into doing.